DALLAS, Texas — The NBA compressed offseason is off and teams were informed over the weekend that trade season will begin Monday afternoon and deals can begin to be consummated as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The trade market and draft will be immediately followed by a shortened NBA off season.
The Mavericks reportedly have discussed bringing in more guard help to partner with their young superstar in making Luka Doncic and their dominant big Kristaps Porzingis. Several names have been tossed around, but none make quite as much sense as acquiring Sacramento Kings shooting guard Buddy Hield.
Hield, who started for the Kings until he was ultimately benched by head coach Luke Walton, would like to be traded to a contender, and it’s no secret which contender he would like to play for. According to a report from NBA reporter Landon Buford, Hield’s preferred destination would be Dallas.
It makes a ton of sense. Hield has been seen working out with several Maverick players most notably Willie Cauley-Stein who opted into his $2.28 million option just over the weekend. Logistically, Hield is familiar with the city due to the proximity between Dallas and where he played and starred for the University of Oklahoma, and he spends a great deal of his time in the DFW metroplex during the off season.
Hield started 44 games and appeared in 72 games for the Kings last year averaging 19.2 ppg and shot 42% from the field and knocking down 39% of his three point shots. In comparison to players currently on the Mavs roster, Hield hypothetically would have the 3rd best three point percentage on the team. Seth Curry had the highest with 45% and Trey Burke with 43% who only played 8 games for the Mavericks last season, and Tim Hardaway would be a close 2nd with a 39% three ball percentage. Acquiring Hield will give this team a medley of three points shooters it needs.
How much would it cost the Mavs to acquire Hield?
Currently the Dallas Mavericks hold the 18th and 31st picks in the 2020 Draft which takes place on Wednesday and the Kings are currently in the business of rebuilding. Will Dallas send both of those 1st round picks to Sacramento to get the deal done?
It’s certainly not out of the question. 1st round draft picks for the Mavericks don’t typically translate into future superstars with the lone exceptions of Luka Doncic who the Mavericks drafted in 2018 and Dirk Nowitzki who spent two decades with the team. I can see the team cutting bait with both draft picks and possibly another player in order to acquire Hield, and possibly another forward to add into the mix like Jabari Parker.
I believe the Mavericks will make a splash in some aspect before December 22nd, but I don’t expect it to be a tidal wave or small dip into the proverbial trade/free agency pond. However, I do expect this team to do what was done in the early 2010’s which was acquiring rangey vets that have specific skill sets that will benefit the overall functionality of the team.
Acquiring Hield will not put this team over the top, but could inch this team closer to the precipice and with a few more moves this team could be free-falling into a NBA championship sooner rather than later.
